He said: “I taught David Tennant at college. He was studying at the Royal Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.

"I was Michael Boyd’s associate at Glasgow’s Tron Theatre and at the time got invited as a guest lecturer.

“I gave David his first professional job at Dundee rep. David was in my very first show there. It was Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? And he was very good in it. Look at him now – he’s a superstar.”

Hamish, aged 55, closely resembles his younger brother, actor Iain Glen who is currently playing Jorah Mormont in Game of Thrones.

But admits he isn’t a fan of the HBO’s hit TV fantasy series. “I haven’t seen Game of Thrones but it’s very addictive I’ve heard. It’s odd watching your family on screen.

“I am better looking than my brother, of course,” he laughed.

Hamish Glen has been at the Belgrade Theatre for 10 years

Since he was appointed in 2003 Hamish has helped to transform The Belgrade into one of the top cultural venues in the West Midlands and overseen a £14 million redevelopment, including the creation of the B2 studio space.

Hamish, who gave up a career in law to become a stage manager, said: “When I joined The Belgrade my main aim was to restore the reputation of the theatre as a major producing house and bolster its position as the cultural heart of the city.

“I think we’ve accomplished that and more.

“A particular highlight for me has been the creation of the B2 auditorium, which was crucial in allowing us to develop our own plays.”

B2 opened in 2008 with RSC director Trevor Nunn directing a new version of Ingmar Bergman’s Scenes from a Marriage.

Trevor’s then wife, Imogen Stubbs, and Hamish’s brother Iain played the two lead roles.

Sons Without Fathers is The Belgrade’s latest co–production with the Arcola Theatre in London based on Chekhov’s first play Platonov.

It is currently showing in B2 until May 4 .

Hamish’s real energy goes into directing. One of his biggest successes has been, One Night In November, Alan Pollock’s play about the Coventry Blitz, which premiered at B2 in 2008.

Hamish’s next project is The Prodigals, a musical set in Afghanistan, which opens on August 30.

He said: “I am very excited about it. The Belgrade has a long history of new musicals. Buddy started here, then there was Three Minute Heroes and The Mark Bolan musical, 20th Century Boy which is going to go on a national commercial tour, including the West End.”

Hamish and his wife Denise Winford, aged 53 – previously head of marketing at Dundee Rep – live in Earlsdon, Coventry. When they first moved to Coventry from Scotland 10 years ago Hamish admits it was a “cultural shock”.

But he says: “I have grown very attached to Coventry.

"It’s a quirky, energetic, international city with really good people. Coventry people are strong, open and friendly. You can see that in its diversity.”

Two years ago the couple, who have been together for 32 years, decided to become foster parents.

Hamish said: “My wife and I foster two boys, aged six and eight.

“When you’ve never had children, stop-starting in your 50’s, is quite a steep, learning curve.”